I woke up to a dream a few nights ago of a house built on a faulty foundation. I was inside the home and was watching as the floors began to slant. In the dream I went out and evaluated the perimeter and noticed that the house was built on the sand. As I prayed, I was reminded of the parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (NIV)
How does this parable and dream apply to our building Houses of Prayer Everywhere? First, building a house of prayer takes time. Much like building a house on a solid foundation, it requires more of us than if we build on the sand. Second, to build a house of prayer, we must say no to lesser things and prioritize Jesus above other pursuits. Finally, we must abandon what is easy and immediate for what is costly and lasting.
Building your house of prayer is an investment that will take time, sacrifice, and work. But the wisdom of worship is this: when we put God first as a family and as individuals, the outcome will outlast anything we could have built or become on our own strength alone. Knowing God is a treasure that in obtaining, we will never, ever regret. As Proverbs 4:7 says: "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom...though it cost all you have..." (NIV)